PHYS 60203

PHYS 60203 - Classical Mechanics Spring 2022

Lectures: MW 9:30 AM - 10:50 AM @ SWR 313

Instructor: Dr. Yuri M. Strzhemechny

Office: SWR 373

Phone: 817-257-5793

Web: http://personal.tcu.edu/ystrzhemechn/

Office Hours: SWR 373/https://tcu.zoom.us/j/368852310; W 8:00-8:50 AM, F 4:00-6:00 PM & by appointment

Recommended textbook: “Classical Mechanics”, 3rd Edition, by Herbert Goldstein, Charles P. Poole, Jr., and John L. Safko (ISBN: 0201657023), Publisher: Addison-Wesley

Lecture notes and assignments will be distributed via the internet (including TCU Online).

Course Description: This is a one-semester graduate-level physics course covering such aspects of classical mechanics as Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, central force problem, rigid body motion, small oscillations, deterministic chaos, special theory of relativity, etc. We will cover most of the textbook chapters plus some extra material that will be distributed in class.

Grading: The course grades will be determined as follows:

A: 100 – 90 pts., B: 89.9 – 80 pts., C: 79.9 – 70 pts., D: 69.9 – 55 pts., F: 54.9 and below.

Homework-based quizzes: 15 %

Test 1: 20 %

Test 2: 20 %

Test 3: 20 %

Final Exam: 25 %

One-problem quizzes (very similar to the homework problems) will be given during the semester and will include homework material from previous weeks. Final exam will be cumulative, but the emphasis will be given to the chapters not covered by the three tests. The tests and the final will contain conceptual questions and problems. Make-up tests will be provided to students having an Official University Absence. Students with valid reasons for missed tests (e.g. doctor's note) will have to contact me regarding make-up tests as early as possible.

Homework: It is crucial for you to learn how to apply conceptual knowledge for problem solving. The textbook provides solid guidelines for you to acquire this skill. You are strongly encouraged to go through the solutions of all the relevant sample problems. In addition, for each chapter, I will supply a number of problems for your homework. It is in your best interest to solve those problems in a timely manner for several reasons. First, it will provide additional training in self-education. Second, homework problems will be very similar (sometimes identical) to those given in the quizzes. Third, homework problems will be related to those offered in the tests and in the final. If you are having difficulty solving the homework problems you may want to contact me during my office hours. It is in your best interest not to copy the homework from your peers, although a certain degree of creative cooperation is OK.

You will have an option of getting up to 10% of additional credit for an extracurricular research. Such assignments will be given on request from a pool of topics on a ‘lottery’ basis.

Academic Misconduct: I would like to remind you about policies and procedures regarding your rights as well as responsibilities that are published in the TCU Code of Student Conduct. You may have a paper copy but it is also available on line at https://tcu.codes. Specifically, I would like you to review sections dealing with academic misconduct, i.e. cheating, plagiarism, etc.

Student Access and Accommodation: Texas Christian University affords students with disabilities reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. To be eligible for disability-related academic accommodations, students are required to register with the TCU Office of Student Access and Accommodation and have their requested accommodations evaluated. If approved for accommodations, students are required to discuss their official TCU Notification of Accommodation with their instructors. Accommodations are not retroactive and require advance notice to implement. The Office of Student Access and Accommodation is located in The Harrison, Suite 1200. More information on how to apply for accommodations can be found at https://www.tcu.edu/access-accommodation/ or by calling Student Access and Accommodation at (817) 257-6567.